Laurier EdTalks series continues in new year with panel discussion featuring school board leaders

Jan. 18, 2022
For Immediate Release

Waterloo – The Laurier EdTalks lecture series, a partnership between Wilfrid Laurier University’s Faculty of Education and the Waterloo Public Library, continues on Jan. 26 with a panel discussion focused on the future of teacher education.

During “Reimagining a Faculty of Education,” Faculty of Education Dean Maria Cantalini-Williams will begin the discussion by describing current future-focused programs and pedagogies within Laurier’s Faculty of Education. Leaders from school boards in Waterloo Region and Brant will then share their perspectives on the role of the Faculty of Education in the community, how teacher education can best meet the needs of diverse teachers and learners, and potential future partnerships between the Faculty of Education and school boards.

The discussion will be held on Jan. 26 from 7 to 8 p.m. via Zoom. “Reimagining a Faculty of Education” is open to the public and free to attend, but registration is required. 

“We are very excited and honoured to welcome directors of education from local schools,” said Cantalini-Williams. “With Laurier having campuses in both Waterloo and Brantford, it is important to listen to the voices of our educational leaders in those communities as they shape and support our students and programs.”

The discussion will also touch on some of the challenges and opportunities educators have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and some of the lessons the Faculty of Education can learn from as it develops future and current educators in undergraduate and graduate programs. 

Panellists will include:

• Loretta Notten, director of education with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board
• jeewan chanicka, director of education with the Waterloo Region District School Board
• Mike McDonald, director of education with the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board
• JoAnna Roberto, director of education with the Grand Erie District School Board 

Steve Sider, professor and associate dean of Laurier’s Faculty of Education, will moderate the discussion.

The second season of the Laurier EdTalks lecture series runs until April 2022. Future lectures will focus on compassionate education, empowering children and youth to be good citizens, and mitigating opportunity gaps through extracurricular community programs. Find out more about upcoming events in the series.